Gift Bagged

Posted on Fri Nov 1st, 2024 @ 8:41pm by Lieutenant Ame Solis M.D. & Commander N'Garzi Zora

Mission: Character Development
Location: USS Athena: XO's Office
Timeline: Following: Into the Qniverse
1731 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

After the trauma of wonderland and whatever hellscape she’d been subjected to, the idea of approaching her executive officer with an assortment of bland gifts really didn’t seem so daunting. Ame was off duty but on call in the place of any issues and made her way to Deck Two to the XO’s office. A thick roll-neck shirt and her favourite wide-leg pants with a simple pair of boots were her comfort as she clung to the ribbon handles of a black matte and satin striped bag teeming with shredded tissue paper.

The Doctor took a moment to compose herself mentally to introduce herself to a woman she didn’t know after both of them had likely been through some form of nightmare. She touched her fingers against the console beside the door, sounding the chime. “Let’s do this.”

Zora was decompressing after the previous mission. That wasn't exactly how she had expected her birthday to go though it was memorable. She was finishing reading all of the various mission reports and a hot feeling rose in her body. Damn that Q! She thought angrily. She was about to pick up another PADD when her door chime went off. "Come in," she said, setting the PADD to one side. The lady who entered was one that she had never met but had recently been through her records from the transfer paperwork. "Doctor, come in, please."

Ame was still psyching herself up when the doors slid open and awkwardly tucked her hair behind her ear and her earring. She stepped inside and closer to Zora, “I’m sorry we didn’t get a proper introduction at the party Commander…” The Bajoran started and offered out the bag, setting it down on the desk. The contents were very generic - alcohol, incense and Rigelian chocolate truffles.

The black ribbon handle drooped on each side of the bag and Ame lingered unsure if she should sit or stand. It was an informal visit after all. “It was certainly a night I won’t be forgetting for quite some time.” The woman gave a subtle involuntary shudder at the recollection.

"They say you never forget your first mission when starting a new posting, and that is one mission I doubt you'll ever forget," Zora said with a twisted smile. She stood up and swung her long dreadlocks so that they were no longer in her face. "I'm glad you made it through relatively unscathed," she added as she indicated the seat for Ame to take. Turning her attention to the gift bag she pulled it slightly closer to herself, "may I?"

“It was something for sure,” Ame answered with a knowing widening of her eyes. She took a seat as offered and crossed her legs, letting her hands settle into her lap. “I will book myself in a woodland run, I think I’m too used to starbase life. Of course, it's all yours.” Her head inclined with a subtle smile, there had to be something in the bag she’d like. “Are all your birthdays like this? You know, just to make a mental note.”

Zora laughed, "no not at all," she answered as she went through the bag. "I don't normally celebrate my birthday, at my age it really is just another day." She pulled out the assortment of gifts and smiled widely. "Thank you Doctor," she said sincerely. She held the incense to her nose and sniffed deeply, lavender and white lilies if she wasn't mistaken. "This is exactly what I need for my evening meditation. Zora placed the chocolates on her desk and opened the box. She pushed it towards Ame. "Please help yourself."

The Bajoran didn’t need a second invitation to sample the confections. “Thanks, I know that feeling to a point. I prefer it to be another day.” Ame answered quietly studying her selection with narrowed eyes. “I’m glad you like it, I know a little incense at the end of the day reminds me of evenings on Bajor with my Grandparents.” She sniffed the chocolate before popping it into her mouth - sweet, rich and surely something that could be enjoyed in moderation.

Despite her best efforts to stop her eyes rolling back in her head as the chocolate melted in her mouth, she couldn’t. It was the smooth creamy ending that she’d needed after starting vaccinations and reviews. “I was hoping for a little bit of guidance, I’ve avoided a department lead position for a long time.” Her lips pressed together, unable to count the times it had been suggested. “During my report in, Commodore Kane suggested that I join him for dinner and bring a dish along…” she trailed off before picking up her train of thought, using her tongue to scrap the ganache off the roof of her mouth.

“I couldn’t see any allergies on his medical records, but I know some people are avoidant of foods, and I don’t know if I should be replicating or making. You know, asking the Chef if I can whip something up …” She gave an awkward grimace. All of this was uncomfortably new and left her overthinking all the possible angles.

"I see why you came to me but I don't know how much help I can be," Zora said truthfully as she selected one of the chocolates and popped it into her mouth. The sensation was instantaneous, warm, comforting, and moreish. She savoured the taste before biting into it and letting the creamy centre ooze out in spurts.

"I have eaten with the Commodore a few times, but always in a formal capacity rather than an informal one," Zora finally said after swallowing the chocolate. She would have liked a more personal relationship with her commanding officer but he seemed to prefer keeping the crew at arm's length and she respected that. However, she couldn't help the slight pang of jealousy that surged through her knowing that this new officer had received an invitation so quickly after coming aboard. "I wouldn't overthink it too much, keep it simple. A man as travelled as Kane would probably appreciate something that means a lot to you, a Bajoran cuisine maybe?"

“I appreciate it.” Ame smiled and leant back in the seat to cross her legs at the knee, her trousers flaring as she moved. “He did say this was a new thing, and he hoped to better get to know his senior officers.” She rubbed the back of her neck. Keeping it simple was easier said than done. “I’ll go with my gut like you said. That was my first instinct.”

Zora smiled, maybe all of her advice had finally gotten through to Kane. Getting to know the crew was in the best interest for him and everyone under his command and she was delighted that he was willing to open himself up some more. "If I can offer you some advice," she said in a light tone. "Trust your instincts, they have gotten you this far and you don't strike me as a reckless individual."

There seemed to be a look of approval from the El-Aurian, hopefully it was the chocolate but Ame couldn’t be sure. She leaned closer at the mention of advice, of course she was curious and very keen to any tips that would help her in her new role. A more subtle smile tugged at the corner of the Bajoran’s mouth, “Thank you. I’ll try my best. I won’t keep you much more, those chocolates should be enjoyed in peace.”

She uncrossed her legs and shuffled herself to the edge of the seat, “You don’t happen to play baseball do you? I’m trying to get a little game arranged.” Ame probed testing the waters.

Zora raised an eyebrow. "I am nearly a century and a half years old, and I have never even seen a game of baseball, never mind played one," she laughed. "But I am a quick learner and I will try most things at least once, you can count me in. Now settle back into your seat, you're not allowed to leave until this tray of chocolates is empty; that's an order," she added in a tone that would leave people questioning if she was serious or not.

There was a moment of hesitation from the Bajoran but she had made a point to book the holodeck for a rural run before her shift and there was also the new member of staff that she would be taking under her wing as a mentor. “Perhaps I can tempt you with some socially acceptable smashing of balls when I can get things figured out.”

With her feet planted firmly on the floor, “I’m not sure my palette can handle quite so many chocolates in one go. Especially the kind that most certainly should be sampled with a fine Springwine. I made the mistake of booking myself in for a morning run before I reread the mentoring manual for our new Ensign. How about we schedule in something? Breakfast? I’d love to hear more about your own little unexpected adventure.”

"I know a swerve when I hear one," Zora said with a light laugh. "Breakfast would be fine, send an invite to my calendar," she said as she gestured towards the mountainous pile of PADDs on her desk, "and we will find a time that suits us both."

Ame laughed, I did sound like an out but sprinting for her life through a nightmare of creatures that wanted to consume her body parts changed your perspective on if she really needed to be able to run for her life. “I hear that, and if I hadn’t been running through a flock of man eating birds I’d believe it.” Her eyes widened with a chuckle.

“I will most certainly do that and I will look forward to it. Please enjoy your chocolates and everything else. It was good to meet you even if it was a fly-by finally.” The Bajoran scooched herself to standing before offering a final smile and excusing herself. She left the Commander in peace with her gifts, hopefully they'd give her a boost to get her through the pile of PADDs on her desk.